Dareu Holly vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Holly and Akko V3 Silver Pro stand out as popular choices, each offering unique features tailored to different preferences. The Dareu Holly switch is a tactile option with a medium 50g actuation force, delivering a balanced and distinctive typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound elements. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro is a linear switch optimized for gamers, boasting a light actuation force, shortened travel distance, and a pleasing bassy sound with every keystroke. While the Holly is categorized as chirpy, clacky, and neutral, and the V3 Silver Pro as easy-to-press, creamy, feathery, high-pitched, polished, and silky, deciding between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and the Akko V3 Silver Pro both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiff plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that utilize RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through. Both keyboards will offer similar sound profiles and aesthetics with their polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Dareu Holly features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material choice affects the overall sound and feel of the switches, bringing a different element to the typing experience compared to the polycarbonate top housing.
When using switches with different top and bottom housing materials, such as in the Dareu Holly and the Akko V3 Silver Pro, the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed, while the top housing affects the sound when the key is released. This creates a unique typing experience with a combination of sharper, crisper sounds from the polycarbonate top housing and deeper, fuller sounds from the nylon bottom housing in both keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, we can see some distinct differences. The Holly has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the V3 Silver Pro's 40 grams. This means that the Holly requires a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. As for bottom out force, the V3 Silver Pro has a specified force of 45 grams, while the bottom out force for the Holly is unknown. This indicates that the V3 Silver Pro is lighter in terms of the force needed to press the key all the way down. In general, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the V3 Silver Pro, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Holly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Dareu Holly tactile switch. Players looking for a faster response time may prefer the Akko V3 Silver Pro with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the Dareu Holly with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer different tactile experiences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
The Akko V3 Silver Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Silver Pro for $3.10.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Holly tactile switch is known for its unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch is characterized by a pleasing bassy sound that accompanies each keystroke, offering a smooth and enjoyable sound profile. While the Holly switch offers a more varied sound experience with its chirpy and clacky qualities, the V3 Silver Pro switch provides a consistently satisfying sound with its bassy notes. Ultimately, both switches offer pleasing sound profiles that cater to different preferences, ensuring a pleasant auditory experience during typing sessions.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Holly tactile switch does not have specific descriptors provided in the information. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. Additionally, the V3 Silver Pro switch is described as creamy, feathery, polished, and silky, providing a smooth and comfortable typing experience. These qualities make the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch ideal for users looking for a low-impact and effortless typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. Both switches may provide a comfortable typing experience, but the V3 Silver Pro switch's specific qualities emphasize a smooth and responsive feel.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holly switch stands out for its unique sound signature, combining chirpy and clacky elements for a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro switch is engineered for gamers, providing a pleasing bassy sound with light actuation force and shortened travel distance advantages. While the two switches offer different auditory and tactile experiences, both cater to specific preferences and usage scenarios. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing feel, ensuring an enjoyable and tailored mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you value a unique typing experience with a medium actuation force and a combination of chirpy and clacky sound elements, the Dareu Holly switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you are a gamer looking for switches specifically designed for gaming with a light actuation force, pleasing bassy sound, and effortless keystrokes, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is your best bet. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound profile, actuation force, and overall typing experience that aligns with your preferences and usage scenario. Happy typing!
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